Taking the Temperature of Afterschool

• Quality & Evaluation
• Sustainability
• Lights on Afterschool 2010
• Denver-CAMP
• PTA April 2009
• Taking the Temperature
• New York State Afterschool Network

High quality afterschool programs are a valued strategy for improving student outcomes, according to Taking the Temperature of Afterschool, a new survey of more than 900 afterschool stakeholders, including staff at schools, afterschool programs government agencies, community organizations and foundations.

This survey holds an important message for everyone struggling with budgets, from local governments and school districts to the statehouse:  the cost of cutting afterschool could be enormous. Teachers and afterschool staff recognize that kids need more than reading, writing and arithmetic if they are going to succeed in school and in careers. They need to be able to work with others, they need to learn how to keep their focus on assignments, they need to be able to think outside the box so they can adapt to changes in the classroom, and later, the workplace.

The most successful afterschool programs offer activities that reflect children’s interest, hire caring adults and design programs that are both fun and educational. They help children improve study habits, strengthen social skills work better with groups and start caring about school. More than 70% of participants told NJSACC that it is very important for afterschool programs to:

·         Promote youth development and engagement (77%)

·         Allow time for thinking, exploration and problem solving (75%)

·         Teach social and life skills (73%)

The survey also found broad support for improving the quality of afterschool programs. Seventy-one percent of respondents said that all afterschool programs should comply with New Jersey licensing requirements. Too read the full report and press release, visit www.njsacc.org.